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www.mississippilink.com VOL. 24, NO. 16 FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2018 50¢ Always Strive for Excellence “I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.” -Oprah Winfrey Dodge criticized for using King voiceover Black AIDS Institute in Super Bowl ad launches new programs Black AIDS Institute announces retirement of president and CEO Phill Wilson, new board members, new staff, new partnerships, new programs By Freddie Allen Editor-In-Chief, NNPA Newswire As part of a new strategic plan to pre- pare for the next generation of Black HIV/ AIDS response, the Black AIDS Institute an- nounced several organizational changes, in- cluding the retirement of long-time president and CEO, Phill Wilson. Wilson launched the Black AIDS Institute Some Super Bowl watchers were dismayed by the use of a Martin Luther in 1999 with a clear mantra (“Our People, King Jr. voiceover in the Dodge truck commercial. SCREEN SHOT/YOUTUBE.COM Our Problem, Our Solution”) and mission, “to stop the AIDS pandemic in black com- By Lauren Victoria Burke “Neither @TheKingCenter munities by engaging and mobilizing black NNPA Newswire Contributor nor @BerniceKing is the entity leaders, institutions and individuals in efforts “Everybody can be great,” Dr. that approves the use of #MLK’s to confront HIV from a uniquely and unapol- King said in a speech in 1968, words or imagery for use in mer- ogetically black point of view. two months before he was mur- chandise, entertainment (movies, “In order for a movement to endure, there dered. “You only need a heart full music, artwork, etc) or adver- must be a plan for the future,” said Wilson, in of grace; soul generated by love.” tisement, including tonight’s @ a statement. “Stepping down as the president The advertisement featured Dodge #SuperBowl commer- and CEO of the institute, where I have had images of football players, cow- cial,” The King Center tweet the privilege of serving for the last 19 years, boys, U.S. troops and fi rst re- stated not long after the ad was is bittersweet for me. I have been involved sponders as a backdrop to King’s broadcast. in this fi ght for almost my entire adult life.” voiceover. The advertisement April 4, 2018 was the 50th The statement continued: “In 1983, when ended with an image of a soldier, anniversary of the assassination I started doing this work, none of us could a Dodge truck, and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have imagined this mysterious new disease, “Built to Serve.” in Memphis, Tennessee, at the fi rst identifi ed at U.C.L.A. Medical Center, Black AIDS Institute President and CEO Phill Wilson leaves the Institute well positioned to take The commercial for Dodge hands of James Earl Ray. would become the defi ning health issue of on the challenges of future. BLACK AIDS INSTITUTE trucks provoked protest on social “The worst commercials are our generation. We are at a turning point. media shortly after it aired from those that use icons like Martin Are we going to build on the remarkable ad- In the statement Wilson said that the insti- changes set forth by the board to prepare for many Super Bowl LII viewers. Luther King Jr to sell things like vances we have made over the last decade tute is committed to doing everything in its a new generation of capacity building, ad- It also induced a reaction tweet a Dodge Ram truck,” tweeted and continue to push forward and fi nally end power to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, espe- vocacy, mobilization and service delivery,” from the The King Center and of the HIV/AIDS epidemic or are we going cially in black communities. Bernice King, the daughter of the Dodge to go back to the dark days of despair and “The time is right. The organization has AIDS late civil rights leader. Continued on page 3 death?” the infrastructure and capacity to do the Continued on page 3 Forward Lookers Federated Club continues its long standing tradition By Jackie Hampton ness. Wiley, a local entrepreneur, Publisher is co-owner of Westhaven Me- For more than 30 years, the morial Funeral Home. ladies of the Forward Lookers Pastor C. J. Rhodes was the Federated Club has hosted an guest speaker. In his speech he annual heritage luncheon during said, “I will submit to you that Black History Month. This year the way this federation will sus- was no different, as this marked tain its’ work is by doing the very 32 years of service for these thing that is in your name, by leading and linked ladies. continuing to look ‘forward.’” On the morning of Feb. 3, the He gave the analogy of driv- Jackson State University Cen- ing a car or truck. “You have ter ballrooms were transformed three primary pieces of glass: the into an oasis of purple and blue, Members of the Forward Lookers Federated Club rear view mirror, side mirror and signifying loyalty and wisdom the windshield. He said the rear as hundreds of ladies and men where he earned an associate ated Club. elor of science degree. In 1968 recipient of 13 honorary doctor- and side mirrors are important gathered for this annual celebra- arts degree in pre-occupational Violet Estell Williams was the she was the fi rst woman of color ate degrees. but they are smaller for a reason, tion. therapy. He is an elementary recipient of the Uplift Award. employed by the Jackson Public Audrey Bernice Wiley has and one should not look through During the luncheon two education major. During the 60’s Williams was School District. In her fi rst three been described as the epitome those mirrors very long. He said, $1500 scholarships were pre- Lewis is a graduate of John L. actively involved in the Civil years she was awarded “Teacher of service. Whether it is in the “You have to keep your eyes on sented by Carol Cooper, imme- Mclaurin High School in Little Rights Movement. She partici- of the Year.” community providing comfort the road in front of you.” diate past president of the For- Rock, Ark. She was recruited by pated in the March on Wash- John Perkins was the recipient and professionalism to grieving He said it is good to look back ward Lookers Federated Club. MVSU in 2016 because of her ington, the Mississippi March of the Heritage Award. He is a families, cooking and serving a from time to time so that you The recipients of the scholar- leadership skills, community in- and was among the attendees of civil rights legend, well known delicious meal at special events, will know what can derail you; ships were Javon Allen Cross volvement and musical talents. the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther for being an advocate for those or giving of her time, talent and but if you only look back, you of Tougaloo College and Rachel She is also an elementary educa- King Jr. She also worked with who cannot speak for them- treasure through community and may wreck your vehicle. “There- Lewis of Mississippi Valley tion major. the Young Freedom Riders from selves. Perkins is a minister and church events, Wiley believes in fore, Rhodes stated, “one must State University. The highlight of the luncheon the East. She graduated from an author of a plethora of books. living out the words of the hymn continue to make present day Cross is a 2013 graduate of was the presentation of three Tougaloo College Daniel Hand He is a victim of abuse that has “If I Can Help Somebody as I history, otherwise, there is a risk Greenwood High School in prestigious awards by Evelyn Prep High School and continued survived and thrived without be- Pass Along.” Wiley is a graduate of wrecking the successes and Greenwood, Miss. He attended Legette, also a former president her education at Jackson Col- coming bitter. He received lim- of Jackson State University with progresses of the journey. Holmes Community College of the Forward Lookers Feder- lege where she received a bach- ited formal education but is the degrees in education and busi- See photos on page 16. Foundation Book Review: Share this issue with a friend for Education Black Ink by mailing it to: and Economic Inside Development, Inc. Page 19 Page 18 COMMUNITY 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2018 www.mississippilink.com Links Day At The Capital 2018 Mississippi Chapter of The Links, Inc. “Link with Legislators” February 1, 2018 PHOTOS BY JAYJOHNSON Jacoby Roby and Rev. Cliff Nelson www.mississippilink.com FEBRUARY 8 - 14, 2018 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 AIDS Continued from page 1 said Wilson. “I am very proud is Black AIDS Awareness day awareness-raising about what’s of the work we have done over at the Black AIDS Institute’” happening there. We have been the last 19 years and of the or- says Raniyah Copeland, the in- on the frontline of training and ganization’s commitment to stitute’s director of programs. capacity building in the South. new leadership. That commit- “Our staff are of the communi- I am particularly excited that ment is more important now ties we serve. We are black men we are going to be housing our than ever before.” and women. We are black peo- policy and advocacy work in Pursuing new executive ple living with HIV/AIDS or at the south and looking forward leadership is a part of a larger high risk of infection. We live, to having Maxx join me in At- effort on the part of the Institute work, pray and play in the com- lanta.” to prepare for the next genera- munities we serve.

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